Winter
Winter
Out here in the countryside, Winter certainly knows how to make its presence felt. After the ‘last hurrah’ of Autumn everything gradually begins to retreat in to itself. The light fades earlier and becomes blue, the air grows sharper, colder. The last leaves fall from the trees and the branches become stark outlines against the sky. Nature exposes only what really matters. And we all begin to retreat inwards as well. We wrap ourselves in layer upon layer and spend much more time inside. It takes more effort and will power to get out and about to wherever we are headed.
If we pause to listen what Winter is gently suggesting, it is that this is a time to be stiller. This is an internal time, a quieter time. With longer, darker evenings Winter is inviting us to sleep more, to move slower, to restore ourselves and build up our reserves. If I look out my window, the emphasis is on only what is most vital.
In the same way we are invited to pause and consider what is most important in our own lives. Sometimes the answer is surprising!
If we give our bodies time to restore, much like the way the earth’s supplies of water are replenished in Winter through heavy rains and snow, we will bring a sense of flow and movement in to our lives and we will also develop great willpower and determination (think of how water can carve through anything – rocks, buildings).
If we do not allow ourselves to be still and replenish we can create a great sense of fear; fear that we will not have the power or the resources to cross the line, to achieve our goals, to do what we want to do. And this in turn can become a very paralysing feeling. We can become inert and frozen like water itself.
Of course, there is a remarkable amount going on beneath the surface during this still time. Still waters run deep. The whole of nature is there beneath the frozen ground ready to move up and out once Spring arrives. But the seed must have the cold and stillness in order to grow come Spring. The earth must have the rain to nourish the plants through the warmer seasons.
So enjoy this quieter more introspective time and know that, like a seed, come Spring, you will be ready to expand and grow once more.
Tips
During these months it is a good idea to try and slow down a little, find some stillness in your day and in your life. Find some space to reflect and to restore yourself. Here are a few ways I find that help me do this.
TURN IN EARLY
… and treat it like a treat not a chore! In the evenings turn off the box set, light some candles and catch up with a friend or partner instead. Do some light yoga. Have a warm bath. Rub your feet with some warm oil, put on some cosy socks, hop in to bed and read a good book. Turn the lights out by 10.30.
TURN INWARDS
Find a way to pause twice or three times a day for 5 minutes. Set a reminder on your phone if that helps. Sit quietly, close your eyes, breath deep. Pay attention to where the tension is and see if you can let it go a little. Or go for a short, slow walk outside. Notice the little things that you might bluster by normally.
DRINK
Winter belongs to the Element of Water. Water makes up well over 65% of our body. We need it! Buy a flask and get in to the habit of sipping warm water throughout the day. You should be aiming for 2 liters.
EAT
But keep it warm – make porridge for breakfast and add some cinnamon as it cooks, eat lots of soups and stews. Eat seasonally and nature will help you out – lots of root vegetables, foods you can slow cook, pulses, whole grains. Add warming spices to your food. Black pepper, turmeric, cumin, cloves. I have some winter recipes here you can check out.
KEEP YOUR KIDNEYS TOASTY
The organs related to Water and therefore to Winter in Chinese Medicine are the Kidneys and the Bladder. The Kidneys are the source of our jing, or our ancestral qi. They are particularly important to maintain our fertility. And they don’t like to be cold. So don’t sit on cold surfaces, drink plenty of warm water and always keep your lower back wrapped up well. You can wrap a scarf around your middle under your coat very easily.